Day: February 24, 2026

World-leading EV motor expert joins Hong Kong PolyU after 38 years in Britain

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Zhu Ziqiang, one of the world’s leading experts in electric motor engineering, has left his four-decade career in Britain to take up a full-time position at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In his new role as chair professor of electrical machines and control systems, Zhu will continue his long-standing work on high-efficiency permanent magnet motors, according to his faculty page on the PolyU website. Zhu spent 38 years at the University of Sheffield, where he eventually established what was known as the world’s largest research team, comprising multiple professors and more…

China slams dozens of Japanese companies with export curbs

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Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Chinese politics & policy myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. China has restricted exports of rare earth magnets and other critical materials to dozens of leading Japanese companies in an escalation of a dispute with Tokyo. China’s commerce ministry on Tuesday said it would freeze the flow of “dual-use” materials, which have applications to both civilian and military industries, to 20 Japanese companies. Another 20 groups are being added to a new “watch list”. The measures, which affect…

The cyber security threat inside your car

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Stay informed with free updates Simply sign up to the Automobiles myFT Digest — delivered directly to your inbox. The writer is the author of ‘Chip War’ This month, Ford and China’s Xiaomi both denied reports that they were considering a joint venture to produce vehicles in the US. Their denials are unlikely to stop the rumours. Such a tie-up has logic: legacy automakers in the west need Chinese electric vehicle expertise while Chinese companies need access to the lucrative US car market. The main obstacle facing Chinese auto manufacturers…

Takaichi plans Japanese ‘Cfius’ to tighten economic security

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Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Japan is planning to tighten scrutiny of foreign investment, emulating the US with a new body to strengthen economic security that overseas companies and activist investors hope will streamline a complicated vetting process. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last week unveiled plans for a sweeping overhaul of Japan’s foreign investment screening system, which has long been accused of entangling buyout bids in months of paperwork. The new agency will be modelled…